“It is all true. There is a God and there is a place we go when we leave this world.”

Trula, if you do not recognize the name, this is Robert D’Angina. I hope you do not mind the message, but I have been meaning to contact you for a long time. I know this must have been a tough weekend for you, but I want to share something with you that only a handful of people know. Your son, Scott, changed my life and I am forever in his debt.

You probably never knew much about my family, but we were blessed with many challenges when I was young. I started down a dark path at an early age, trying to fill the emptiness in my heart. I remember always looking up to your kids. Scott was my age, but a grade younger. All of the kids in High School knew who he was and we all had tremendous respect for him. Scott and I were always good friends and he always set a good example for me.

I remember waking up Monday morning, September 10th, and hearing my mom recount the tragic event. I hit my knees and poured out my soul to Heavenly Father. I pleaded with him to save Scott and take me in his place. I did not believe I had anything to offer this world, and I knew Scott had so much potential. I finally made my way to the hospital and found comfort through the friends that were there.

I will never forget sitting outside his room as you walked out. I stood up and knew that he had just passed away. At that moment, I heard an audible voice in my head; I do not know if it was the Holy Ghost or if it was actually Scott speaking to me. The voice said, “It is all true. There is a God and there is a place we go when we leave this world.”

At that moment, I received a witness that God lives, and I felt his overwhelming love. This was something I spent several years looking for, but in all of the wrong places. Right then, I made a covenant that I would give up all of my sins in order to go to the place Scott was going. I am proud to tell you that I have been true to my promise.

That year was a difficult year; I lost everything I once thought was so important. Many of my friends stopping hanging out with me, and even my girlfriend ended up leaving me. Even though I was alone, my heart was filled with the love of my Savior. Scott’s example and final testimony led me to the only path that brings true happiness, and my life has never been the same.

The events of 9/11 led me to join the armed forces, and since then I have spent two years overseas. I met my sweet wife while in the military and we were sealed in the Oakland Temple. We now have four beautiful children, all born in a happy home.

I currently conduct security operations and personal protection for the Church in Salt Lake, and my testimony of Christ is deepened with every passing day.

I know that it is hard to lose a loved one, but it was not in vain. Scott’s death brought me a new life… his testimony saved me. Thank you for raising such a wonderful young man and I look forward to the day I can offer my gratitude to him personally.

May God bless you for your kindness and for the wonderful job you did in raising your children. I love you and I love your family.

Robert.

Photos From Josh

Josh Hamilton was kind enough to send these today! Enjoy!!

Scott, 4 years old

On the 10th anniversary of the day Scott left us, I thought it fitting to post something light-hearted, because that is probably what he would've wanted. I found this cute video, and had to share it with you all. If you ever feel like you really want to re-live the essence of Scott though, you should all go read Bob Cunningham's eulogy on this site. Scott feels alive to me again when I read Bob's thoughtful words. Hope you enjoy the video! Much love. -Aimee

He Would Have Been 27

He would have been twenty-seven today
but it's no good to imagine
what could have been
It's no good to try and take my mind places
it has no business journeying

We used to be five, now we're four
but it's no good to mourn
now that time has passed
It's no good to wish for the time back
when I have no right to that wish

I used to feel much more invincible
but it's no good to pretend
that the future can't hurt
It's much better to learn from the past
and to know that I'm stronger because of it

Young Again (Song For Scott)

I wanted to write a song for Scott for several years, and didn't know how to go about it. The thing I knew for sure is that I did not want to force it. So I didn't. I let it be. Then one night, I dreamed of him. That hardly ever happens. It happens so seldom, I find myself longing for it. This particular night, in my dream, Scott and I and our siblings were kids. It's how I remember him best - maybe about 7 years old (when I was 14 or so) and still young enough to play, but old enough to remember. I don't recall the dream anymore, but I do recall the feeling I woke up with - the feeling of being care-free, with nothing serious to worry about. The feeling that we could go across the street to Moran's field and play baseball until Mom called us for dinner, or make up dares to perform on our ropeswing, or any other silly whim we might come up with to keep ourselves occupied on a summer day. I woke up from that dream, longing to fall back asleep and return to that feeling of youth and innocence. That's when I had the idea for this song. I hope it helps you to remember him on this Sept 11, when it's been 9 years since any of us spent a summer's day with Scott.

Scott Obsessed With Aerosmith

Around the time I was a junior in high school, Aerosmith came out with an album with cow udders on the front cover. After google-ing it just now I learned that it was called "Get a Grip." Lovely. My brother, Chris purchased this album shortly after it came out, and it received daily airplay on our huge stereo system for the next few months.

Scott became obsessed with three of the songs on this album. They all sounded relatively alike, I believe they all starred Alicia Silverstone in their videos, and they were all top ten hits. Scott spent hours in our living room, upstairs, listening to these songs and singing along. It was like his own personal Aerosmith Trilogy. He would say to me, "You wanna know what my favorite songs are? They're 'Crazy, Amazing, and Cryin.'" And I probably replied, "Yeah, I kind of figured that out already."

These songs got SO much airtime in our living room, Aerosmith should have payed us. Scott drove us "crazy" with those songs...he completely over-did it, and forever ruined any chance I had of wanting to listen to them again, ever. I can't speak for my siblings, but I NEVER wanted to hear ANY of those songs, and flipped the station quickly when they played on the radio. I never could have guessed that hearing them now would actually stir up warm feelings inside of me. So...Here's to Scott, the Aerosmith Junkie. Love you, miss you Brother.

Happy 25th, Scott

Today would have been Scott's 25th birthday. As the day goes by today, I can't help but wonder where he would be and what his life would be like if he were still with us.

I remember trying to talk him into getting into the advertising business when I lived in NYC, telling him he could come and intern with some agency in the city and be our best babysitter and everything. He always loved commercials. I don't think he really gave any serious thought to my idea. I think he had some interest in law enforcement and was part of some training program for high school students with my brother, Chris (and maybe even Paul). When I remembered this fact, I considered the possibility that if Scott were living, there is a very good chance that his idea of a dream life would have been to live close to his brothers, where they could be as pigheaded and competitive as they wanted, as often as they could together. My conclusion is that Scott would be living in Susanville, and working as a prison guard with my other 2 brothers. I think he would have gotten married by now, given the fact that he was definitely good with the ladies. Maybe a little Scott Jr. on the way? Pick up basketball games at the church on Thursday nights, and wakeboarding all summer long on Lake Elsinore and arm wrestling over who will pay for the gas. Asking Sonja and Heather to make his favorite cookies, and running his fingers through his wife's hair as they sit on a beach blanket, discussing how much more air he can get on the wakeboard than his brothers.

This is how I see him. I see him as a strong family provider, a loving husband, a raucous and competitive brother, an excited father-to-be, a very tan muscular stud of a prison guard who secretly hopes to high heaven he never has to come to blows with any prisoner (although you'd never know it to hear him talk), a joker who calls me every week or so to let me know I have just won a million dollar shopping spree, a friend who would drop everything to help you stack your wood or build your deck, and a man who lives life to its fullest. This is how I see him. Love you , Scott.
-Your Big Sister

(I would love to know how the rest of you picture what he would have been like at 25 if you have the time)